Google acquires API.AI to build conversational interfaces

Google on Monday said that it's acquiring the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based startup API.AI, continuing its investment in machine learning technologies that enable natural language interfaces. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. "API.AI has a proven track record for helping developers design, build and continuously improve their conversational interfaces," Google vice president of engineering Scott Huffman wrote in a blog post. More than 60,000 developers are using API.AI to build conversational experiences for Slack, Facebook Messenger, Kik and other environments, he noted. API.AI also created Assistant, its own leading conversational assistant app with more than 20 million users.